Sheet intermittent feed device

ABSTRACT

A device comprising at least one electromagnet and a sheet feed member made of a ferromagnetic material disposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship across a path of movement of a sheet. The electromagnet is intermittently excited so that the sheet feed member intermittently moves relative to the electromagnet or the electromagnet intermittently moves relative to the sheet feed member whereby the sheet can be intermittently fed along its path of movement.

FIP85G2 KR 3 873 Q14 I United States Patent 1191 [111 3373mm MatsuhisaMar. 25, 1975 SHEET lNTERMlTTENT FEED DEVICE 3,361,948 968 Sawyer 310/14x 3,391,289 968 Danilewicz et al. [751 Inventor: 'Y 3,741,458 6/1973Aylesworth 226/162 Japan 1 [73] Assignee: Ricoh o Japan PrimaryExaminer-Richard A. Schacher 22 Filed: July 2 1973 AssistantExaminer-Bruce l'l. Stoner, Jr.

Attorney, Agent, or Firm-C0oper, Dunham, Clark, [21] Appl. No.: 375,808Griffin & Moran v 7 [30] Foreign Application Priority Data July I8, 1972Japan 47-72301 [57] ABSTRACT A device comprising at least oneelectromagnet and a [52] US Clan 26/162, sheet feed member made of aferromagnetic material 1/267, 3 disposed in spaced juxtaposedrelationship across a [51] Int. Cl B65h 17/36, B65h 5/10 I path ofmovement of a sheet, The electromagnet is in- T Field of Searchtermittently excited so that the sheet feed member in- 27l/l8.l, 18.2,termittently moves relative to the electromagnet 0r 310/12 theelectromagnet intermittently moves relative to the sheet feed memberwhereby the sheet can be intermitl Referemles Cited tently fed along itspath of movement.

UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,276,774 10/1966 Hunter 271/266 9 Clams 7 DrawmgFgures m; a we;

PATENTEUHARZSIQYS suaengg} FlG.l(b)

FIG.2

SHEET INTERMITTENT FEED DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Thisinvention relates to sheet intermittent feed devices, and moreparticularly it is concerned with a sheet intermittent feed device usingan electromagnet and a sheet feed member made of a ferromagneticmaterial.

Punched cards or other information storing cards in sheet form or webform (hereinafter generally referred to as sheets) are often fedintermittently for reading information stored therein. In one device forintermittently feeding such cards, rollers disposed on the path ofmovement of the sheets are rotated intermittently by means of anescapement comprising a ratchet wheel, a feed pawl and a check pawl.This device has the disadvantage of being large in size and complex inconstruction because of the need to use, in addition to the rollers, theratchet wheel, feed pawl and check pawl. Besides, a suitable means mustbe used for operating the feed pawl, and this has made it impossible tooperate the device at high speed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide anovel sheet intermittent feed device, simple in construction, high inoperation speed and having a wide range of application, which comprisesat least one electromagnet and a ferromagnetic sheet feed memberdisposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship across a path of movement ofa sheet.

According to the invention, there is provided a sheet intermittent feeddevice comprising at least one electromagnet, a sheet feed member madeof a ferromagnetic material, the electromagnet and the sheet feed memberbeing disposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship across a path ofmovement of a sheet and within the sphere of influence of the magneticforce of the former, means for intermittently exciting the electromagnetto move the sheet feed member intermittently relative to theelectromagnet or to move the electromagnet intermittently relative tothe sheet feed member in a direction in which the sheet is to be fedalong its path of movement, and means for returning the sheet feedmember or the electromagnet to its original position from a position towhich it has moved intermittently whereby the sheet disposed on its pathof movement can be fed intermittently.

The sheet intermittent feed device according to the invention offersmany advantages. It is simple in construction and yet permit feeding ofa sheet to be effected satisfactorily. It has a wide range ofapplication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1a and 1b are schematic views ofthe sheet in-.

termittent feed device comprising one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional side view of the sheet intermittent feed devicecomprising a second embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the device shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are sectional side views of a third embodiment and afourth embodiment of the invention, showing their application; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional side view of a fifth embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In FIG. 1, there is shownone embodiment of the invention which illustrates the principle of theinvention. The device 1 comprises, as shown in FIG. la, an electromagnet2 and a sheet feed member 3 made of a ferromagnetic material (normallywet) disposed in spaced juxtaposed relationship across a path ofmovement of a sheet 4. The electromagnet 2 and sheet feed member 3 aredisposed along the path of movement of the sheet 4 and spaced apart fromeach other such that the member 3 is disposed within the sphere ofinfluence of the magnetic force of the electromagnet 2. I

When the electromagnet 2 is not actuated, the sheet feed member 3 isurged by the biasing force of a spring 5 to move into a position inwhich it is stationary and in abutting engagement with a stopper 6.While in this position, the member 3 is maintained at its underside incontact with the sheet 4 which rests on rollers supported by shafts 7aand 8a respectively which are rotatably supported by an immovable member(not shown). A guide plate made ofa nonmagnetic material and hav ing asmooth upper surface may be used for guiding the sheet 4 and disposed inthe path of movement of the sheet 4 near the rollers 7, 8 or in anyother position as desired. The sheet feed member 3 is made of iron,nickel or other ferromagnetic material.

When a current is passed to the electromagnet 2 to excite it, the sheetfeed member 3-is attracted to the electromagnet 2 against the biasingforce of spring 5 and moves, together with the sheet 4, from a positionshown in FIG. 1a to a position shown in FIG. lb in which the member 3 isfully on the electromagnet 2. At this time, the force of attractionexerted by the electromagnet 2 on the sheet feed member 3 is orientedsuch that the sheet 4 is tightly forced against the rollers 7, 8, sothat the sheet is smoothly fed by virtue of the frictional dragging ofthe underside of the member 3 on the sheet 4. When the member 3 is inits position shown in FIG. la, magnetic lines of force flow as indicatedby lines T1 and are unstable. However, when it is in its position shownin FIG. lb, magnetic lines of force are stable as indicated by lines T2.

When the supply of current to the electromagnet 2 is cut off, the sheetfeed member 3 is released from the electromagnet 2 and restored to itsoriginal position by the biasing force of spring 5. At this time, themember 3 rides on the sheet 4 by its weight only. Thus, if the weight ofthe member 3 is adjusted beforehand, the member 3 will only slide on thesheet 4 in its return movement and the sheet 4 will never move with themember 3.

If excitation of the electromagnet 2 is carried out intermittently, theaforementioned sheet feed operation will be repeatedly performed and thesheet 4 will be intermittently fed along its path of movement. Thedistance covered by the sheet in one cycle of feeding operation issubstantially equal to a distance 01 covered by the sheet feed member 3in its movement from the initial unstable position shown in FIG. la tothe next stable position shown in FIG. lb in which it is attracted tothe electromagnet 2.

In the aforementioned description. the electromagnet 2 is fixed whilethe sheet feed member 3 is movable. It is to be understood that theelectromagnet 2 may be movable while the member 3 is fixed.

A second embodiment of the invention will be described with reference toFIG. 2 and FIG. 3 in which a path of movement of a sheet 9 is disposedon guide plates 10 and 11 and guide rollers 12, 13 and 14 interposedbetween the two guide plates 10 and 11.

Disposed beneath the path of sheet 9 is an electromagnet having twopoles 15a and 15b interposed between the rollers 12 and 13 and 13 and 14respectively and disposed adjacent the sheet path. Disposed opposite theelectromagnet 15 with respect to the sheet path is a sheet feed member16 made ofa ferromagnetic material and formed therein with slots 16a and16b. The sheet feed member 16 is covered with a shield plate 17 havingopposite ends disposed near the sheet path and is movable under theshield plate.

A torsion spring 19 is mounted on a pin 18 planted on the upper surfaceof the member 16 in the central portion and connected at opposite endsto pins 20 and 21 planted on the underside of the shield plate 17 and inopposite side marginal portions, so as to urge the member 16 to moverightwardly in FIG. 2. When the electromagnet 15 is not actuated, thesheet feed member 16 is urged by the biasing force of torsion spring 19to move to the right and has its right end portion abut against a rightdepending portion of the shield plate 17, and the two slots 16a and 16bare disposed in an initial position in which they are indexed with thetwo poles 15a and 15b of the electromagnet 15 respectively.

Upon excitation of the electromagnet 15, portions of the sheet feedmember 16 disposed rightwardly of the slots 15a, 15b in FIG. 2 areattracted to the poles 15a and 15b respectively and the sheet 9 isfrictionally fed leftwardly as the member 16 moves leftwardly in FIG. 2.When the electromagnet 15 is de-actuated, the member 16 is restored toits original position where it stands by for the next sheet feedoperation. Thus, the sheet 9 can be intermittently fed leftwardly inFIG. 2 by intermittently exciting the electromagnet 15.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in which the deviceaccording to the invention is mounted to cooperate with a pair of sheetdelivery rollers 21 and 22 maintained in pressing engagement with eachother. As shown, a sheet guide plate 23 is disposed rightwardly of therollers 21, 22 and provides a sheet path thereon. Formed in the sheetguide plate 23 are two slots 23a and 23b which are disposed beneath andindexed with one pole 24a of an electromagnet 24 and a roller 25 and theother pole 24b thereof and another roller 26 respectively.

A sheet feed member 27 made of a ferromagnetic material and formedtherein with slots 27a and 27b is disposed opposite the electromagnet 24with respect to the sheet path and covered with a shield plate 28disposed above it and formed with a cutout 28a in its left portion inthe figure. Received in the cutout 28a for sliding motion is a pin 29planted on the upper surface of the member 27. A spring 31 is mountedbetween the pin 29 and another pin planted on the shield plate 28 tourge by its biasing force the sheet feed member I 27 to move to aposition in which the pin 29 abuts against a right end edge of thecutout 28a, when the electromagnet 24 is not actuated. Thus, when theelectromagnet 24 is not actuated, the sheet feed member 24 is in itsinitial position in which the slots 27a and 27b are indexed with thepoles 24a and 24b of the electromagnet 24 respectively. Upon excitationof the electro magnet 24, the member 27 moves leftwardly in FIG. 4

and a sheet 32 also moves in the same direction with the member 27.

Generally, even if the leading end of sheet 32 is disposed near theportions of sheet delivery rollers 21 and 22 which are maintained inengagement with each other, it is not nipped by the two rollers 21, 22unless a force is exerted on the sheet to urge the same toward therollers. Therefore, in apparatus wherein a sheet is inserted beforehandas by hand in a position disposed near the sheet delivery rollers, it isrequired to push and move by some means the sheet toward the rollersbefore rotation of the latter is initiated. The device according to theinvention permits delivery of a sheet to be readily and positivelyinitiated merely by passing a current to the electromagnetintermittently. Thus, feed of the sheet can be initiated automaticallyand positively.

The device according to the invention can be incorporated in a tapereader as shown in FIG. 5 in which a punched tape 34 is disposed on aguide plate 33 formed in its central portion with a slot 330. A lightsource 35 and a light receiving element 36 are disposed above and belowthe slot 330 respectively to read information stored in the tape 34.

Slots 33b and 33c are formed in a leftward portion of the guide plate33. One pole 37a of electromagnet 37 and a roller and the other pole 37bthereof and another roller 39 are disposed beneath and indexed with theslots 33b and 330 respectively. Disposed above the slots 33b and 33c isa sheet feed member 40 made ofa ferromagnetic material and formedtherein with slots 40a and 40b. The member 40 is covered with a shieldplate 41.

An electromagnet 42 is mounted on a leftward portion of the shield plate41. In its initial position, the sheet feed member 40 is disposedbeneath the electromagnet 42. The two electromagnets 37 and 42 arealternately excited to move the member 40 rightwardly in reciprocatingmotion from its position shown in FIG. 5 so as to thereby feed the tape34 intermittently.

The guide plate 33 is also formed in its rightward portion with a slot330' in FIG. 5 in which an electromagnet 43 enclosed by a frame 44 isdisposed. A brake member 46 made of a ferromagnetic material andenclosed by a frame 45 is disposed opposite the electromagnet 43 withrespect to the path of movement of the tape 34. Electromagnet 43 isactuated in synchronism with electromagnets 37 and 42 so as to strictlyregulate the distance covered by the tape 34 in its feed movement by thebrake member 46 being brought into pressing engagement with the tape 34as it is attracted to electromagnet 43. This is conductive to a higherdegree of precision with which the information stored in the tape isread out.

Other means than the brake member and electromagnet combination may beemployed for regulating the distance covered by the tape in its feedmovement. The rollers used in all the embodiments shown and describedabove may be replaced by a guide plate 46 (See FIG. 6) made of aluminumor other non-magnetic material and having a smooth surface.

In FIG. 6, a sheet 47 rests on the guide plate 46. and an electromagnet48 is disposed beneath the guide plate 46 while a sheet feed member 49formed therein with slots 49a and 49b is disposed on the sheet 47. Themember 49 is covered with a shield frame 50 and has a pin 51 planted onits central portion and extending planted on the shield frame 50 so asto urge the sheet feed member 49 to return to its original position byits biasing force.

lf electromagnet 48 is intermittently excited, then the sheet feedmember 49 moves rightwardly in FIG. 6 in reciprocating motion, and thesheet 47 is fed intermittently in the same direction.

What is claimed is:

l. A sheet intermittent feed device comprising:

a. means-for defining a path of movement of sheet material having twoopposed major surfaces, including means for engaging one of the twomajor surfaces of the sheet material during advance thereof along saidpath;

b. a first'member, for pressing said sheet material against saidengaging means, reciprocable between first and second positions spaced apredetermined distance apart along said path, in engagement with theother of the two major surfaces of the sheet material, and sufficientlydisplaceable transversely of said path to vary the pressure exerted bysaid first member on sheet material in the path;

c. means for returning said first member for movement toward said firstposition; and

d. a second member fixedly disposed on one side of said path, and closerto said second position than to said first position, in facing relationto said one major surface of sheet material in the path such that thepath extends between said first and second members;

e. one of said first and second members being intermittently energizableto constitute an electromagnet;

f. the other of said members being made of a magnetic materialattractable by said electromagnet;

g. the sphere of influence of said electromagnet embracing said secondmember and said first and second positions of said first member, suchthat energization of said electromagnet causes said first member to movefrom said first position to said second position while being pressedagainst sheet material in the path by magnetic attraction to saidelectromagnet, thereby advancing the sheet material along the path forsaid predetermined distance by frictional pressing engagement of thefirst member therewith, and de-energization of said electromagnetreleases said first member for return by said returning means to saidfirst position in reduced-pressure sliding relation to sheet material inthe path.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said returning meanscomprises means acting on said first member for resiliently biasing saidfirst member toward said first position along said path.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasing means comprisesan element fixed relative to'said path, and a spring acting between saidfirst member and said fixed element, and further including stop meansfor arresting movement of said first member, under the force of saidbiasing means, at said first position.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said second member comprisesan electromagnet having two poles facing and spaced along said path;wherein said first member comprises a ferromagnetic member having twoopenings respectively positioned for register with said two poles whensaid first member is in said first position, and two solid portionsrespectively positioned on the sides of said two openings toward saidfirst position; and further including a fixed plate extending over thepath of movement of said first member; said fixed element being securedto said plate, and said stop comprising a portion of said plateprojecting into the path of movement of said first member at said firstposition.

5. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said second member comprisesan electromagnet.

6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said returning meanscomprises a second electromagne't dis- I posed adjacent said firstposition on the same side of the path as said first member andenergizable for return of said first member to said first position upondeenergization of said second member.

7. A device as defined in claim 1, further including brake meansdisposed adjacent said path beyond said second position, said brakemeans comprising an electromagnetic element and a ferromagnetic elementpositioned on opposite sides of said path, one of the lastmentionedelements being movable toward the other upon energization of saidelectromagnetic element, for pressing and arresting sheet material inthe path.

-8. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pathdefining meanscomprises plural supports spaced along the path for engaging said onemajor surface of sheet material therein.

9. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said pathdefining meanscomprises a nonmagnetic plate interposed between said second member andsaid path.

1. A sheet intermittent feed device comprising: a. means for defining apath of movement of sheet material having two opposed major surfaces,including means for engaging one of the two major surfaces of the sheetmaterial during advance thereof along said path; b. a first member, forpressing said sheet material against said engaging means, reciprocablebetween first and second positions spaced a predetermined distance apartalong said path, in engagement with the other of the two major surfacesof the sheet material, and sufficiently displaceable transversely ofsaid path to vary the pressure exerted by said first member on sheetmaterial in the path; c. means for returning said first member formovement toward said first posiTion; and d. a second member fixedlydisposed on one side of said path, and closer to said second positionthan to said first position, in facing relation to said one majorsurface of sheet material in the path such that the path extends betweensaid first and second members; e. one of said first and second membersbeing intermittently energizable to constitute an electromagnet; f. theother of said members being made of a magnetic material attractable bysaid electromagnet; g. the sphere of influence of said electromagnetembracing said second member and said first and second positions of saidfirst member, such that energization of said electromagnet causes saidfirst member to move from said first position to said second positionwhile being pressed against sheet material in the path by magneticattraction to said electromagnet, thereby advancing the sheet materialalong the path for said predetermined distance by frictional pressingengagement of the first member therewith, and de-energization of saidelectromagnet releases said first member for return by said returningmeans to said first position in reduced-pressure sliding relation tosheet material in the path.
 2. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid returning means comprises means acting on said first member forresiliently biasing said first member toward said first position alongsaid path.
 3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said biasing meanscomprises an element fixed relative to said path, and a spring actingbetween said first member and said fixed element, and further includingstop means for arresting movement of said first member, under the forceof said biasing means, at said first position.
 4. A device as defined inclaim 3, wherein said second member comprises an electromagnet havingtwo poles facing and spaced along said path; wherein said first membercomprises a ferromagnetic member having two openings respectivelypositioned for register with said two poles when said first member is insaid first position, and two solid portions respectively positioned onthe sides of said two openings toward said first position; and furtherincluding a fixed plate extending over the path of movement of saidfirst member; said fixed element being secured to said plate, and saidstop comprising a portion of said plate projecting into the path ofmovement of said first member at said first position.
 5. A device asdefined in claim 1, wherein said second member comprises anelectromagnet.
 6. A device as defined in claim 5, wherein said returningmeans comprises a second electromagnet disposed adjacent said firstposition on the same side of the path as said first member andenergizable for return of said first member to said first position uponde-energization of said second member.
 7. A device as defined in claim1, further including brake means disposed adjacent said path beyond saidsecond position, said brake means comprising an electromagnetic elementand a ferromagnetic element positioned on opposite sides of said path,one of the last-mentioned elements being movable toward the other uponenergization of said electromagnetic element, for pressing and arrestingsheet material in the path.
 8. A device as defined in claim 1, whereinsaid path-defining means comprises plural supports spaced along the pathfor engaging said one major surface of sheet material therein.
 9. Adevice as defined in claim 1, wherein said path-defining means comprisesa nonmagnetic plate interposed between said second member and said path.